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South Shore Educational Collaborative

Quest Program

School Handbook 2015-2016

75 Abington Street Hingham, MA 02043 Phone: 339-201-4571 Fax: 781-740-1844 www.ssec.org

Revised 8/15

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Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

On behalf of the entire Quest staff, we welcome you to a new school year at the South Shore Educational Collaborative Quest Program. By working together, we believe we can make learning a fulfilling and positive experience for everyone involved.

When home and school join efforts to create a safe and respectful environment that fosters academic and emotional growth, while providing care and support, each student can be successful. Close communication and clear, consistent guidelines are key to this process and are the prime reasons for this handbook. It contains information that will be invaluable to you in helping us make the educational experience at Quest worthwhile and rewarding for each student.

Jennie C. Williams Timothy P. Handorf Program Coordinator/Principal Quest Director/Clinical Director

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

School Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Note to Parents/Guardians and Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Core Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Staff Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Discrimination/Civil Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 School Regulations & General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Behavioral Incentive Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Behavioral Standards/Discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Bullying & Cyber-bullying Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Communication & Homework Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Destruction of School Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Disruptive Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Dress & Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Edibles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Emergency Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Extracurricular Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Field Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Field Trip Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Internet Acceptable Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Lunch/Breakfast/Snack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Mandated Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 MCAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Memorandum of Understanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Parent Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Parent/Guardian Support Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Personal Belongings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Physical Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Physical Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Policy Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Re-entry after Hospitalization Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Report Cards/Progress Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Restraining/Custody Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Safety Drills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 School Cancellation/Delayed Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Search & Seizure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Smoke-Free Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Social Thinking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Special Education Parent Advisory Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Student Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Summer Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Telephone Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Therapy Dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Transportation (Cab, Bus, Van) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Visitors/Building Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 School Calendar 2015-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

It is our belief at Quest that all children want to learn and do their best in school. At times, emotional, behavioral and/or learning issues make it difficult for some children to be successful in the public school setting. It is necessary then to provide them with a more therapeutic setting in which to learn. The mission of the Quest Program is to provide a safe and respectful learning environment where relationships between staff and students can be nurtured and developed and where students can learn new skills for continued growth. Following this mission ensures the consistency and support needed for these students to succeed. Our approach to classroom structure, academic instruction, and motivation allows students to maximize their potential despite past difficulties in school or at home. We are committed to treating students with dignity, respect, care, and compassion, while holding them accountable for their actions and reinforcing behavior that demonstrates care and concern for others and promotes social acceptance. We collaborate with students, parents/guardians, sending school districts and educators to formulate an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that will help students achieve academic and behavioral success. Cooperation between school and home is essential to the success of our program. Working together, school staff and parents/guardians develop an understanding of what motivates their child's behavior and leads to his/her difficulties. With this understanding, school staff and parents/guardians can develop interventions that are most likely to succeed. At times, some of our students require external controls – such as a physical escort or, as a last resort, a physical restraint – to contain their behaviors and keep everyone safe. Our staff is thoroughly trained in de-escalation and crisis management to maintain the safety of students and staff. Another important goal of our program is to help students increase self-esteem and develop a positive self-image. We do this by creating an environment in which students can experience success and by providing school-based clinical services which include social skills groups in each classroom. Clinicians also provide individual and family counseling, parent consultation, case coordination, and crisis intervention. Students develop the skills necessary to be able to learn and to communicate their feelings and needs in appropriate ways. Our school is committed to providing a safe, structured learning environment where students can make academic, social, emotional and behavioral progress that will enable them to be successful in a less restrictive school setting.

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NOTE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND STUDENTS This handbook is issued in order that students and parents/guardians may become familiar with the policies and practices of the school. It contains information that should be read and understood by all those connected with the school. We welcome any questions or concerns anyone might have about the material contained in this Handbook. Parents/Guardians are vital to the success of the school. All students and school staff rely on parents/guardians to:

• reinforce the learning process at home • motivate their children to be interested in school and to attend school regularly • expect the highest level of achievement of which their children are capable, as well as

teacher performance which can bring out this level of achievement • be consistently involved to ensure that their children receive a high quality education

CORE VALUES The Core Values for the South Shore Educational Collaborative Quest Program serve as the basic premise on which all management and curricular decisions are made and are the standards by which accomplishments are measured. The Core Values are:

• Provide a safe learning environment • All individuals have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect • Dedication to teaching and learning • Build strong relationships to foster continued student growth • Respect for diversity • Participatory and collaborative decision-making • Clearly defined expectations and limits

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QUEST PROGRAM STAFF DIRECTORY

2015-2016

PROGRAM COORDINATOR/PRINCIPAL: Jennie Williams x 1307 QUEST DIRECTOR/CLINICAL DIRECTOR: Tim Handorf x 1302 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Lisa Penzo x 1307 NURSES: Paula Allen (339-201-4557) Anna Turley (339-201-4544) TEACHERS / CLASSROOM AIDES: SPECIALISTS: Steve Driscoll /Tish Collins Carolyn Hofford, Speech & Language John Fosdick /Emily Sirrell Keri Johnson, Occupational Therapy Merry Grip /Leah Callahan Marybeth Orr, Reading Kate Hudson-Mendes/Beth Leonard/Sarah Spaccarelli Betty Tamborella, Reading Bill Jacques /Ashleigh Macausland David Labbe /Jeana Trimboli Kim Murphy /Jennifer Natale Marybeth Orr & Laura McKenna-Wilson/Keri Cole Sarah Tenore/Hazel Cheng MILIEU COORDINATOR: GYM TEACHER: Felicia Pasley (339-201-4550) Sam Flynn BEHAVIORAL STAFF: (339-201-4570) PROGRAM AIDES: Kate Bayersdorfer Sarah Gardiner Kari Fillian Edwin Sustache Stephanie Hoomis Deryl Walker Mike Pagan James Rollins CLINICIANS: THERAPY DOGS: Lauren Brierley (339-201-4555) Weezy Liz Donahue (339-201-4577) Tucker Kathleen Madaus (339-201-4575) Eric Steeves (339-201-4574) INTERNS: Emily Ring (339-201-4578) EMAIL ADDRESSES are in the following format:

first initial, last name, @ssec.org. For example, jwilliams@ssec.org.

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DISCRIMINATION/CIVIL RIGHTS

The South Shore Educational Collaborative conducts its programs and operations in conformity with MGL c. 76, s. 75, Title VI, Title IX, Chapter 622, Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, G.L. c.151C, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. All members of the school community are expected to show tolerance and respect for differences among people. Each person has a right to be free from discrimination, including verbal harassment or physical attack, based on gender, gender identity, sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Any student who believes that they have experienced discrimination in any form should report this to an administrator or any school staff. A prompt and thorough investigation into the charges will be conducted. Violation of a person’s civil rights will result in disciplinary action, which may include but is not limited to suspension, expulsion and possible legal action for civil rights violations.

SCHOOL REGULATIONS & GENERAL INFORMATION Attendance: According to state law, schools must be in session for a minimum of 180 days each school year. Every student must attend school except when absent with parental consent and/or proper documentation (i.e., doctor’s note). Excused absences include the following:

• Student illness • Death in family • Observance of religious holidays • Appearance in court • Temporary relocation due to extreme emergencies • Medical and dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside school hours

Parents/Guardians are expected to notify the school if their child will be absent for any reason. Parents may excuse their child from school due to illness 2 times per trimester. Further absences due to illness will be considered unexcused without a doctor’s note documenting the student was seen at the doctor’s office. Children who are absent 12 days or more during any marking period will receive incomplete grades on their report cards. If the work is completed within a week of the end of the marking period, the incomplete grades will be replaced by standard grades. If the work has not been completed during this period, the incomplete grades will become failures. In the case of a student refusing to attend school, parents/guardians are expected to contact school to report it.

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Staff is available to provide assistance in getting your child to school. Note: truancy and/or school refusal are considered unexcused absences. Students are expected to arrive at school on time. Tardiness hinders student learning and is disruptive to the learning environment. Parents/Guardians are also expected to plan vacations around the school calendar so their children do not miss valuable instruction time. Extremely late arrivals (more than ½ the school day) and extremely early dismissals (more than ½ the school day) are considered absences under state attendance regulations. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires schools to notify parents/guardians of a student’s unexcused absence within 3 days. In addition, the school will notify parents/guardians if a student misses 2 or more periods of a class over consecutive days. At these times, parents/guardians will be invited to come in for a meeting with school staff. The school is also required to notify parents in writing if a student has accumulated 5 unexcused absences in a school year. When 5 unexcused absences have been accumulated, the principal or a designee must meet with the parents/guardians to develop action steps to help improve the student’s attendance at school. Behavioral Incentive Program: Quest uses a program-wide behavior management system with the emphasis on rewarding positive academic, behavioral, and social performance. Students have the opportunity to work toward their goals as taken from their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Rewards are available from the school store, which include healthy snack items, toys, gift certificates, school supplies, as well as individually-designed incentives. Behavioral Standards/Discipline: Students are expected to act with proper behavior at all times while they are on school grounds, traveling to and from school, and on field trips. Violations or disregard for school rules and regulations will lead to disciplinary action which could result in an in-school suspension, parent/guardian conference, suspension out of school from one to ten days, exclusion from school, or expulsion. If suspended from school, whether in or out of school, students are provided with the opportunity to make up assignments, receive missed services, and continue to make academic progress. Any student suspended from school will be afforded the opportunity to meet with the principal or a designee to discuss the reason for the suspension prior to the suspension going into effect. Reasonable efforts will be made to include parents/guardians in this meeting if the student is suspended out of school. A letter with this information will be sent to both the parent/guardian and the sending school district. If students in grades Kindergarten to grade 3 are suspended out of school, a written notice of the suspension will also be submitted to the Executive Director. A re-entry meeting including the parent/guardian and designated school staff may be required before the student returns to school. If a student accumulates 10 days of suspension during a school year, a TEAM meeting must occur to determine if the behavior is a manifestation of the child’s disability and whether the

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current placement is appropriate. If the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of a student’s disability, a functional behavioral assessment will be performed and an individual behavioral plan will drafted. For any student who is suspended for 10 or more consecutive school days, or accumulates 10 days of suspension during a school year, parents/guardians have the right to appeal the most recent suspension with the Executive Director. This appeal must be submitted to the Executive Director in writing and a hearing will be held within 3 days. The principal may remove a student from school-sponsored events and activities that are not considered regular classroom activities based on a student’s misconduct. The principal is not required to notify parents in writing of such a removal and it is not counted as a suspension from school. The following are considered particularly serious offenses:

• Physical assault, fighting, or other acts of violence on any member of the school community

• Threats of violence directed toward any member of the school community • Use of obscene, abusive, or profane language or gestures • Hazing • Harassment/discriminatory remarks or actions regarding but not limited to the

following: sex, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status

• Sale, distribution, use, or unauthorized possession of: i. Drugs (including over-the-counter or prescription medication)

ii. Alcohol iii. Devices or materials of any sort injurious to the well-being of the school

community* • Coming to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol • Possession of weapons of any kind, including knives of any length or shape, firearms,

firecrackers, or other explosives* • Possession of replicas of weapons of any kind* • Possession and/or use of items inappropriate for school such as, but not limited to:

Water pistols Lighters/matches Leather straps/large chains Studded clothing, steel-toed shoes Inhalants Laser pointers or pens

• Theft of school or personal property or receiving such stolen items • Obtaining money, material goods, or favors by threat of physical harm • Destruction or damage to school or personal property • Sounding a false alarm for fire/police, tampering with emergency call box covers,

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making a bomb threat, or disrupting the normal school routines in any way • Starting a fire • Smoking, use, or possession of tobacco products • Leaving school building or school property during school hours without permission • Loitering on school grounds before or after school hours • Vandalism, including graffiti • Forgery, or signing a name other than one’s own, to any school-related document • Open or continued defiant behavior toward school staff • Sexual assault or sexual harassment • Bullying, including cyber-bullying

*Please note that, per Massachusetts General Law, school personnel are obligated to report in writing any incident involving a student’s possession or use of a dangerous weapon on school premises. This report must be submitted to the Executive Director who is then required to provide the report to the Hingham Chief of Police, DCF, and the school district. Such an occurrence may result in a student being referred for further assessment and a counseling program. Bullying & Cyber-bullying Prevention: Quest complies with the Massachusetts Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010 Bully Prevention Law. Bullying identification, prevention, and conflict resolution are included in our social skills curriculum. Staff receives professional development in bullying prevention and response. If a student witnesses or experiences bullying by students or school staff, s/he can alert any staff member who will bring the concern to the milieu coordinator for investigation. All relevant adults will be informed and a safety plan will be put in place for the target of the bullying. Bullying reports may remain anonymous; retaliation for reporting bullying is not tolerated. Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to:

• A pattern of harassment, whether in person or by mail, phone, texting, or Internet (via online gaming, social networking, etc.) targeting a student

• Intentionally damaging a student’s property • Distributing false or private information about a student • Impersonating an individual online, by phone, or by texting • Repeatedly excluding or ignoring a peer

The SSEC/Quest Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan is available upon request. Communication & Homework Notebook: Communication & Homework notebooks are sent home daily. Parents/Guardians are expected to review and sign these notebooks daily and help their child remember to return it to school the following day. Parents/Guardians are asked to use these notebooks to send notes to teachers, including any information about issues outside of school that may impact their child’s performance at school.

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Daily return of signed communication notebooks earns students points in our behavior management system. Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): All current and prospective employees, volunteers, and people who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children in this program must sign a request form authorizing receipt by the Collaborative of all available Criminal Offender Record Information from the criminal history systems board. Destruction of School Property: If a student damages, defaces, or destroys school property, the student or parent/guardian is expected to make restitution in full. In some cases, a student may make restitution by performing community service at school, the number of hours to be determined by behavioral staff. School property includes not only the physical building and furniture, but also any other items or equipment used by students or staff. Disruptive Behavior: Classrooms are for teaching and learning. Any student who is disruptive to the group may be asked to move to a designated area until they are ready to return to class. If a student refuses to leave their classroom, the classroom may be cleared, or they may be assisted to a designated area for safety reasons. Students who are separated from their classroom are continuously monitored by staff. Dress & Appearance: Students are expected to dress in a manner that reflects the seriousness and purpose of the school setting. Students are also encouraged to take pride in their appearance and maintain proper hygiene. Any type of attire which attracts undue attention to the wearer and thus causes a disturbance in the school is unacceptable. The following have proven to be disruptive to the educational environment and should not be worn:

• Clothing that is very tight or revealing: including spaghetti straps, halter tops, strapless shirts or dresses; skirts/dresses more than 2” above the knee; shorts with an inseam less than 3”

• Clothing that exposes any cleavage, midriff or undergarments • Clothing that reflects racist, sexist, violent, obscene, or substance-related slogans

and/or symbols • Gang-related insignia, such as displays of “colors” or signs • Hats/headwear, except for religious/medical/sensory reasons with principal approval • Articles of clothing or accessories that may be used as a weapon, such as chains,

studs, metal-spiked belts, steel-toed shoes, etc. • Outside jackets or coats in class unless building conditions necessitate additional

clothing

If a student comes to school inappropriately dressed, steps will be taken to address the

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situation. If necessary, a parent/guardian will be notified and asked to bring in appropriate clothing or to take their child home. In summary, students may not wear any style or type of clothing that is distracting, offensive, or endangers the health, safety, or welfare of the school community. Edibles: Gum, candy, or any other food is not allowed in the school building except at times and in areas designated by school staff. Soda, caffeinated beverages, and energy drinks are not permitted during the school day. Students with special needs around food – e.g., students who benefit from oral stimulation – may be allowed access to gum, candy, or food with authorization from school staff. Emergencies: In the event of a physical or psychiatric emergency, every effort will be made to contact the parent/guardian of the student in crisis. However, when a parent/guardian cannot be reached, the Emergency Contacts listed on the Student Information Sheet will be contacted and a child may be transported to the nearest hospital by ambulance. Emergency Contacts: Students may not attend school unless a Student Information Sheet has been completed. Emergency contacts listed on the Student Information Sheet must be people who can be available in case of an emergency, including picking up your child from school. Parents/Guardians are reminded to update this information whenever any changes occur to home or cell phone numbers and/or emergency contacts. Extracurricular Activities: Quest does not offer any extracurricular activities. However, students in good standing academically and behaviorally are eligible to participate in their sending school’s extracurricular activities, e.g., band, drama, chess club, sports. Permission must be obtained in writing from the sending school principal and the director of the activity. Continued participation in any activity is dependent on the student maintaining appropriate behavior. Field Trips: On occasion, curriculum is supplemented by field trips, both educational and recreational. Participation on field trips is a privilege which students earn by meeting classroom academic and behavioral expectations. School staff is responsible for informing parents/guardians in writing regarding the details of any school-sponsored field trips. On field trips, students are expected to comply with all school rules and safety expectations. Permission slips signed by parents/guardians must be submitted for each field trip. For some trips, students may be asked to pay for all or part of an admission fee. Financial assistance is available for any student for whom this would pose a hardship. In accordance with state law, all prospective parent/guardian chaperones and volunteers must sign a form authorizing receipt of all available CORI data from the criminal history systems

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board. Field Trip Vehicles: The Collaborative policy regarding the use of vehicles to transport students is restricted to vehicles approved by the Collaborative. The Collaborative requires drivers to have a 7D license and vehicles to be 7D-registered, except in cases of emergency. When possible, more than one staff member will be in the vehicle when students are being transported. Health Services: A full-time registered nurse is available during the school day. Advice regarding health problems and first aid is available to all students. Any student may visit the health office by requesting permission from a teacher. Dismissal for health reasons, if deemed advisable, is the decision of the school nurse. No student is allowed to leave school unless picked up by a parent/guardian or responsible adult designated on the Student Information sheet. Student Information sheets are critical. Every student must have an up-to-date sheet on file. All students must have a current physical (within the past 12 months) and up-to-date immunization records on file. Written parental permission and a doctor’s order are required to administer prescription medication at school. Written parental permission is also required to administer over-the-counter medication. Medications must be transported to school by a parent or another responsible adult the parent designates. Delivery of medication to school by a student is a violation of state law. In some cases, arrangements may be made for delivery via the student’s driver. Please note: Medications that are classified as “controlled substances” may not be transported by anyone but the parent/guardian. A School Health Manual is kept in the nurse’s office with more detailed information on all medical policies. Homework: Homework is an important component of a child’s total education and provides a necessary link between the school and home. It provides an opportunity for children to extend skills developed in the classroom, helps children to become self-reliant and responsible, and affirms the importance of the parent/guardian role as cooperative partner in the education of their children. Please note: For some families, struggles at home over homework can become counterproductive. When this is the case, parents/guardians should contact their child’s teacher to develop an appropriate plan. Internet Acceptable Use: It is the general policy of the South Shore Collaborative that Internet services are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. In order to use the Internet, students must

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read and sign an Acceptable Use Contract. This is typically done upon admission to the program. Lunch/Breakfast/Snack: Breakfast and lunch are available to all students at a nominal cost. The meals, which include milk, are provided daily by the SSEC food services staff following the guidelines and standards of the National School Lunch Program. Menus are sent home monthly with students. Any parent/guardian may apply for free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program. Applications may be made at any time during the school year or at any time financial circumstances change. Students are responsible for bringing their own snacks. Students may bring their own meals, or buy meals only on certain days, according to food preferences. Nut Precaution in School: Your child is in a school with children who have potentially life-threatening peanut/nut allergies. Although our school is not Nut-Free, we do request that your child be respectful of those with allergies and take the following precautions: after eating, wash all surfaces which nut products have come in contact with and wash hands after eating nut products to reduce the transmission of traces of nut products. Mandated Reporting: State law requires school personnel to file a report (51A) with the Department of Children and Families (formerly DSS) when a suspicion arises of abuse or neglect by any adult in a caregiving capacity (parent/guardian, bus driver, school staff, etc.). Every effort will be made to discuss concerns first with the caregiver and to notify parent/guardian before a report is made. MCAS: Students are required to participate in MCAS testing. Accommodations will be made in accordance with each student’s IEP. Following the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, teachers strive to help students feel prepared and to make the testing experience go as smoothly as possible. Incentives are provided for students who complete testing sessions. Memorandum of Understanding: A memorandum of understanding is established between the SSEC and the Hingham Police Department regarding the establishment of a protocol for the reporting and coordination of responses to incidents of violence or other illegal activity within SSEC Programs. The SSEC and the Hingham Police Department agree to coordinate their responses to violence or other illegal activity by students and non-students which occur on SSEC premises or at SSEC-sponsored or SSEC-related events. Through collaboration, the two organizations can ensure safe and secure school and community environments designed to maximize effective teaching and learning. A complete copy of this agreement is available in the main office. Parent Council: The SSEC Executive Director has authorized the formation of a Parent Council to serve as a

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link between the home and the school. All parents are encouraged to join. Parent Councils will hold regular meetings to discuss current issues or programs and activities they may sponsor for students. Councils may also offer speakers on certain topics for parents. Information about the Parent Council may be obtained from the Program Coordinator/ Principal. Parent/Guardian Support Group: Parents/Guardians are invited to participate in the Parent/Guardian Support Group. This group meets one evening each month to provide information and support around parenting children with special needs. The group is facilitated by Quest staff. The focus and direction of the group is determined by the parent/guardian participants. Childcare is available if needed. Personal Belongings: Nonessential items may be brought to school only with prior permission of the classroom teacher. If prior permission has not been obtained, items may be taken by the classroom teacher and returned at dismissal time. In certain cases, staff may return a confiscated item only to a parent/guardian. The school is not responsible for loss or damage to any item brought in by a student. Cell Phones: Students are expected to keep cell phones off during the school day. Cell phones will be collected at the start of the school day and returned at the end of the day. Parents/guardians will be called to retrieve the cell phone if the student fails to surrender it. Electronic Devices: The SSEC Technology & Electronic Communication Device (ECD) Responsible Use Policy outlines student use of technology and electronic communication devices for educational purposes. This policy also applies to student used of ECD’s for non-educational purposes. Students may bring devices such as iPods or hand-held gaming devices to school for non-educational purposes. Please note that use of devices for non-educational purposes may occur during selected periods of the day and with staff permission. SSEC reserves the right to monitor all online and ECD activity at any time. Staff reserves the right to restrict the use of devices for non-educational purposes. Internet access must be blocked when devices are being used for non-educational purposes. Money: Students are expected not to carry more than $10, unless authorized for the purposes of a field trip. Selling or Exchanging Items: Students are not allowed to sell or trade items with other students in school, on school grounds, or in cabs. Physical Contact: A primary concern for all staff and students is to work and learn in a safe environment. Physical contact between students, including friendly horseplay, is not allowed. Physical Restraint: At SSEC, our mission is to provide a safe and respectful learning environment. All staff are trained and certified through NAPPI International (Non-Abusive Psychological & Physical Intervention) and use interventions that have the minimum impact on the student. Staff will

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always attempt to de-escalate a student so that physical restraint can be avoided. Physical restraint is considered an emergency procedure of last resort and is only used when a student’s behavior poses a threat of assault or imminent, serious, physical harm to self or others and the student is not responsive to verbal directives or other less intrusive behavior interventions, or such interventions are deemed inappropriate under the circumstances. The physical restraint policy is made available to students and parents/ guardians upon admission to the program. A signed acknowledgment and consent is requested at that time. Policy Manual: A School Policy Manual is kept in the main office and is available for review. Parents/guardians are encouraged to bring questions regarding school policies to the attention of the Program Coordinator/Principal and to meetings of the Parent Council. Re-entry after Hospitalization Policy: To ensure the health and safety of every student re-entering a South Shore Educational Collaborative program following a psychiatrically or medically related hospitalization, the South Shore Educational Collaborative has adopted the following policy:

Any student requiring a psychiatric evaluation, an emergency room visit, or inpatient hospitalization for psychiatric or medical conditions will be re-admitted to South Shore Educational Collaborative programs only after receipt of the discharge summary. This summary is required to ensure that the program has current information, in writing, from the attending physician regarding changes in medication, medication procedures, or adjustment in the dosage for any ongoing medical/psychiatric treatments.

Report Cards/Progress Reports: Report cards and progress reports will be issued three times per year, at the close of each trimester. These reports are mailed home to parents/guardians and the sending school system, typically within two weeks after the end of the term. Restraining/Custody Orders: It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to inform the school of any court action that results in the issuance of a restraining order or has impact on custody matters. The school will extend every effort to comply with court directives. In order to do so, up-to-date copies of these orders must be kept on file in the school office. Safety Drills: At no time during the school day should students be more serious than when the safety alarm rings. Assume every alarm is an emergency situation and listen carefully to instructions from staff. Two types of drills will be practiced throughout the school year to prepare students in the event of an emergency. Evacuation: Some emergencies may require the evacuation of the building. Directions for

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evacuating each area are posted in conspicuous places. The following requirements are critical:

• Proper behavior is essential. Remain quiet during exit and re-entry. • The first student to enter the hallway should hold the exit door for classmates. • Walk rapidly, do not run, to the nearest exit and leave the building. • After exiting the building, move away to the area designated by staff. • Stay together. Teachers must account for all members of the group. • Classroom teachers will accompany their students and will be responsible for

attendance, before and after an evacuation drill.

Lockdown: Some emergencies may require students and staff to remain in classrooms in a lockdown situation. When the alarm sounds and a lockdown is indicated over the public address system, the following must be implemented:

• Students move to the center or rear of the classroom as directed. • Students in corridors, restrooms, etc. proceed to nearest classroom immediately. • Remain quiet while lockdown is in progress. • Do not open classroom doors until the “All Clear” is sounded.

During any emergency situation, attendance must be taken to ensure that all students and staff have been accounted for. Improper behavior during a safety drill may result in disciplinary action. School Cancellation/Delayed Opening: Quest follows the Weymouth Public Schools’ closings and delays due to weather. No School/Delayed Opening announcements are made over local radio and television stations and websites. If your local school is closed and Weymouth (and therefore Quest) remains open, please check with your transportation company to see if your child will be picked up. On rare occasions (for example, if a severe storm develops during the day) school will close earlier than the regular dismissal time. An early closing will be communicated to parents via phone and email.

Please note: In order to notify families of early dismissals, parents/guardians must provide accurate, up-to-date contact numbers. Search & Seizure: Desks and lockers are property of the South Shore Educational Collaborative and may be searched at any time. Searches and seizures involving a student’s person or personal property may also be conducted in accordance with generally recognized legal principles. Circumstances which lead to reasonable suspicion to search include: possession of cigarette rolling papers, possession of large amounts of cash, previous involvement with drugs coupled with behavior indicative of drug usage as determined by staff, an anonymous tip that the student is in possession of a drug or weapon. Random searches may be conducted if staff feels they are warranted. Searches may include the use of a metal detecting wand and/or drug-sniffing canines.

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Smoke-Free Schools: The Educational Reform Law prohibits use of any tobacco products within the school buildings, school facilities, or on school grounds or school buses by any individual including school personnel and parents/guardians. Social Thinking: Quest has adopted the Social Thinking Curriculum designed by Michelle Garcia Winner for use in all classroom social skills groups as well as to model and teach social skills program-wide. Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to visit Michelle Garcia Winner’s website www.socialthinking.com to familiarize themselves with social thinking concepts. When these concepts are reinforced at home, the curriculum can be doubly effective. Special Education Parent Advisory Council: Every public school system is required by law to have a Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). This is a group of parents of children with disabilities who are available during the school year to discuss issues of concern regarding special education. Parents/guardians, teachers, and others are welcome to access this resource by contacting the SEPAC Executive Board in their sending school district. Copies of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education booklet, Parent’s Guide to Special Education, can be obtained from the special education liaison. Student Records: All student records are kept in a secure area. A Record Access Log is maintained to document professional staff access to student records. If a parent/guardian wishes to amend his/her child’s student record, they must contact his/her home school. With few exceptions, no individuals or organizations but the parent/guardian and school personnel working directly with the student are allowed to have access to information in the student record without the specific, informed, written consent of the parent/guardian. When any part of a students’ record is released at the request of the parent, a written release is obtained and maintained in the student record. The portions of the record released, who the information was released to and why the information was released is documented in the Record Access Log. Quest will, on occasion, post student work. It is assumed that parents/guardians are in support of this practice unless the school is otherwise notified. Summer Program: A summer school program is available to students whose TEAM determines the need for the structure of an extended year program to prevent substantial academic, social, or behavioral regression. Summer school meets Monday through Thursday for a six-week term, during July and August. It provides a balance of academic classes, electives, and recreational field trips.

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Telephone Use: While the use of cell phones during the school day is prohibited, parents/guardians may call the school to speak with their child during the school day if necessary. Students may also, if warranted, use school phones with staff permission to speak with their parents/guardians. Therapy Dogs: Two therapy dogs, Weezy and Tucker, are available to students with staff supervision during the school day. Both dogs are fully-trained and licensed service dogs. Weezy and Tucker can assist students in developing calming and sensory strategies that promote better self-regulation. The dogs offer a calming, nonjudgmental presence, can reduce tension and anxiety, and provide opportunities for students to be gentle and nurturing and build mastery. They have also enabled students to overcome their fear of dogs and increase self-esteem. Transportation: (Cab, Bus, Van): The sending school district provides curb-to-curb transportation. Students are expected to demonstrate appropriate behavior on their transportation and may be subject to disciplinary measures imposed by the transportation company or by the Quest Program for any infractions (see previous section on Behavioral Standards/Discipline). Students are considered the responsibility of the Collaborative from the time of pick up to the time of drop off. Concerns or changes in transportation should be made by contacting the sending school district. Violations of transportation regulations may result in suspension from the vehicle and/or disciplinary action at school. If suspended from transportation, students may continue to attend school if transportation can be provided to and from school by parent/guardian or designated adult. Students who are unable to demonstrate safe behavior at dismissal time will not be permitted to board their bus/cab. In this event, a parent/guardian, or designated representative, is expected to pick up their child in a timely manner. Parents/Guardians are reminded to inform the cab company about any changes in pick-ups or drop-offs (e.g., when a child is kept home due to illness or transported home by a parent/guardian). Visitors/Building Security: The following precautionary steps are taken to ensure safety of students and staff:

• Visitors beyond the office must sign the visitor’s log upon entering and leaving and wear a visitor’s badge.

• No student will be dismissed to a parent/guardian or their designee without a proper picture I.D. unless they are known to staff.

• Parents/guardians picking up their child for early dismissal are asked to sign in at the office and wait at the office for their child to be summoned.

• Parents/guardians are asked not to go to their child’s classroom without permission obtained in advance of the visit.

• Except for student entrance and exit, building doors will remain locked while school is in session.

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• During school hours, entrance will be permitted at the main entrance by bell/buzzer after the visitor is identified.

• Public access to the school is restricted to the office. Unauthorized persons may not proceed into the school beyond the office without approval.

• Individuals not adhering to this school policy will be liable for prosecution for trespassing as covered by law under Chapter 266, Section 120.

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